Biometric Signature
A biometric signature uses a signer's unique biological or behavioral characteristics — such as fingerprint scan, facial recognition, or handwriting dynamics (stroke speed, pressure, acceleration) — to verify identity and create the signature.
What it means
Biometric signatures can be categorized as static (a fingerprint or facial scan taken at one point in time) or dynamic (behavioral data captured while the signer draws their signature on a touchscreen). Dynamic handwriting biometrics capture data invisible to the naked eye and are used in high-assurance signing scenarios for financial services and regulated industries.
Why it matters for e-signatures
Biometric authentication significantly raises the assurance level for signer identity. SignOwl supports facial recognition-based identity verification as a pre-signing step for sensitive documents, ensuring the signer is the person whose name appears on the document.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Are biometric signatures more legally binding than click-to-sign?
They are not inherently more binding, but they provide stronger evidence of signer identity, making them harder to repudiate. Legally, both can form binding signatures.
How is biometric data protected?
Responsible e-signature platforms store only hashed or encrypted biometric templates, never raw biometric data. GDPR and U.S. biometric privacy laws (BIPA, CCPA) govern how this data must be handled.
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